Medr response to Estyn review of literacy, numeracy and digital skills report

Medr welcomes the Estyn report on literacy, numeracy and digital skills in adult learning in the community. We accept the findings and recommendations as they relate to Medr.

In 2024 the Welsh Government published its statement of strategic priorities for tertiary education and research and innovation. The priorities include increasing adult learning and improving basic skills acquisition, while putting the learner at the heart of the system and developing robust data for measuring learner outcomes.

Medr’s first Strategic Plan 2025–2030 sets out our commitment to considering how improvements can be made to access, participation and success in essential skills provision. We recognise that there is more to do to support this provision to meet the needs of adult learners in Wales.  

To provide a strong evidence base for our planning, decision making and informing government policy, our Operational Plan 2025–26 commits us to reviewing our existing data and measures. The Estyn report’s recommendations (R1-3) will inform that work, including supporting our consideration and consultation on outcome measures for the adult community learning (ACL) sector.

More broadly, we have committed in our Strategic Plan to reviewing the planning, organisation, flexibility and effectiveness of ACL. As part of this work, we will review guidance for ACL partnerships to ensure that it remains fit for purpose, with providers being clear on the expectations for ACL provision (R4). We will also continue to review partnership arrangements between constituent providers (R6).

Medr recognises the importance of different modes of learning to encourage participation and widen access to ACL. We will work with the Welsh Government and other partners to ensure alignment and collaboration with programmes such as Community Focused Schools to engage parents and communities (R5).

We were pleased that the report found that overall teaching was effective and personalised, and that the majority of learners successfully complete a wide range of literacy, numeracy and digital skills courses. To support the ACL workforce to access effective professional learning and share best practice (one of our growth commitments), we will work with the Welsh Government, Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, ColegauCymru and other partners to promote professional learning focused on developing subject specific teaching skills including through the medium of Welsh (R7).